Clemens Friedell was born near New Orleans in 1872. Three years
later his family moved to Vienna, where he was educated, and eventually
apprenticed with an Austrian silversmith. At 17 he moved to Texas, and in 1901 joined Gorham in Providence, Rhode Island, where he worked for seven
years on their prestigious Martelé ("hammered" in French)
handwrought line. In 1911 he found his way to Pasadena, California, and
gained notoriety the following year with his "orange blossom set"
for brewing tycoon E. R. Maier -- 107 pieces reminiscent of Martelé,
with service for 18 and several large elaborate items including a 28-inch
tall centerpiece. Maier paid him $15,000. It took over a year to
make, used 2,200 ounces of silver, and was decorated with over 10,000
hand-chased orange blossoms.

Friedell burnished his reputation by catering to the local
carriage trade with a series of heavy silver "equine portrait
plaques" for his horse-loving customers. He received numerous
commissions, and was highly sought after as a maker of trophies for
organizations including the one that ran the Tournament of Roses parade. He
set up shop in the Hotel Maryland, one of Pasadena's swankier resorts, and
did well enough to retire in 1921 to Texas. After divorcing his wife in
1927, he moved back to California and set up another store, on Pasadena's
main street. He began making everyday silver items, and remained there until
his death in 1963.

The bronze tray below is very unusual.
We have quite a few wonderful silver Friedell objects in our collection, but
this is the first bronze item we've come across. It is signed FRIEDELL
PASADENA on the front, and the detail and workmanship are outstanding.

The Friedell work most commonly found today is from his later
output -- items like trays,
dishes, demitasse sets, and vases, some with swirling
ornate chased and repousse monograms, many of which are wonderfully
executed. The large jewelry piece here is very unusual. It is part of set
with two earrings and is signed CLEMENS / FRIEDELL / PASADENA / STERLING /
HAND WROUGHT

Friedell jewelry mark:

Friedell holloware mark:

Friedell scratched signature:

Brooch (with earrings -- see below right). Massive
repousse brooch in the shape of a California poppy, with one large blossom,
one smaller blossom, and one bud, on an intertwined set of stems and
fern-like leaves. Beautiful, delicate hammering on the flowers.
3-15/16" L and 2-7/16" W

Friedell may have sold brooches and earrings in sets, signing
the brooches only. The poppy earrings on the right (1-5/16" L and
1-5/8" W) came with the brooch above. The rose earrings (13/16" W)
were documented as being produced by Friedell, but neither of these pairs is
signed. The rose pair is unusual because of the small pearl at center in
each.

Frame, picture, rectangular, with hammered surfaces, ornate
repoussé ECR mono on bottom, over wood and cloth backing with hinged wooden
support. Applied wire around inside and outside of frame and at diagonals
where sides meet. Easel is original and in frayed condition. Surface is
worked to resemble wood grain. Sides are in somewhat rough condition.
9-1/4" W and 12" H. Marked: FRIEDELL PASADENA / STERLING

Pen, hammered gilded shaft with clip for nib, flaring to a
square top. End is finely chased on the sides below the top and on the top
itself. Sides each have a detailed blossom. Top is a raised crest or
coat-of-arms. Nice workmanship. Signature missing the initial
"F" 4-7/8" L and 7/8" W across top. Marked: RIEDELL
/ PASADENA